Ukraine signs nuclear fuel deal with US firm

RIA Novosti Kiev, March 31 (RIA Novosti) Ukraine’s nuclear power utility Energoatom said Monday it had signed a contract with the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company for fuel supplies to its plants. Ukraine, which relies almost entirely on Russia for its nuclear fuel imports, has stepped up efforts in recent years to diversify supplies amid rising prices and energy disputes with Russia.

The document stipulates nuclear fuel supplies for Ukrainian nuclear power plants during 2011-2015.

The high level of Ukraine’s energy dependence on Russia prompted President Viktor Yushchenko to announce plans in January 2006 to set up nuclear fuel production facilities.

The decision was sparked by a fuel price hike by Russian corporation TVEL in late 2005, and a natural gas debt row in 2006 with Russia’s state gas giant Gazprom which turned off the taps to Ukraine. RIA Novosti